Articles tagged with Polymers
Researchers developed a light-driven, toroidal micro-robot that can navigate complex environments like medicine and environmental monitoring. The innovation uses liquid crystalline elastomer to overcome viscous forces and enables autonomous movement in low Reynolds number regimes.
Researchers at Osaka University have developed a way to make tough, chemically recyclable polymers without compromising on heat and chemical resistance. This breakthrough could hugely expand the uses of chemically recyclable polymers.
Materials scientists at Stanford employed a novel electron microscopic technique to study the structural microstructure and electrochemical properties of organic mixed ionic-electronic conductors, revealing how they maintain electronic functionality despite swelling by up to 300%.
A team of researchers from the University of Washington has developed a flexible pipe with an interior helical structure inspired by shark intestines, which can keep fluid flowing in one direction without flaps. The design rivaled and exceeded Tesla valves, a one-way fluid flow device invented over a century ago.
Researchers at Nagoya University developed a new adhesive combining epoxy resin and hydrogen-bonded styrenic thermoplastic elastomers. The breakthrough offers unparalleled impact strength, enabling lighter vehicle production with improved fuel efficiency and reduced emissions.
The researchers synthesized supramolecular polymers with the ability to form larger complexes in response to external stimuli, which may shed light on biomolecular self-assembly and other ‘smart’ materials. The resulting shape of the assemblies can be controlled based on the concentration of a specific additive.
Researchers investigated peptide clumping behavior using molecular dynamics simulations and AI techniques. They discovered that aromatic amino acids enhance aggregation, while hydrophilic ones inhibit it, offering insights into peptide structure and function.
Early porous coordination polymers (PCPs) exhibit a flexible 'soft' nature, allowing them to adjust their shape and hold more gas. This finding offers new insights into the evolution of PCPs and paves the way for future research and applications.
Researchers at Rice University developed a thermochromic material that outperforms existing varieties in terms of durability, transparency, and responsiveness. The new polymer blend significantly enhances energy efficiency for indoor space cooling, potentially reducing energy consumption and carbon footprint.
A recent study developed a new folded supramolecular polymer that spontaneously undergoes interchain aggregation, exhibiting potential applications in stimuli-responsive materials. The research team used atomic force microscopy to demonstrate the relationship between unfolding and aggregation.
Researchers at Osaka University have created molecular wires with periodic twists that increase electrical conductivity. The discovery could lead to the development of cheaper and biocompatible electronic devices.
A new mechanism uses common building materials to absorb or radiate heat, reducing the need for air conditioning and heaters. This passive approach can save energy and is particularly beneficial for low-income communities with limited access to cooling and heating systems.
Researchers developed a new reaction using nickel as a catalyst to create polymers with unique structures and fine-tunable properties, opening doors for applications in drug delivery, energy storage, microelectronics, and beyond. The sustainable method holds promise for environmentally friendly polymer production.
Liheng Cai, a UVA engineering professor, has received a $1.9 million NIH grant to create advanced biomaterials that can be used to repair living tissues and build organ structures. His lab aims to develop polymers that mimic human biology and integrate healthy cells into the human body.
Researchers developed CLEAR, a novel 3D printing technique using light and dark chemical reactions to create densely entangled polymer chains. This improves mechanical properties and enables applications in biomedical manufacturing, such as adhering to wet tissues.
Researchers developed a library of 27 polymers to improve RNA drug delivery, using design-of-experiment approach and statistical analysis. The study improves quality, efficiency, and precision of RNA drugs with optimized polymer nanoparticles.
Developed by University of Tsukuba researchers, the wearable patch accurately measures insensible perspiration, allowing for real-time hydration monitoring. The patch also detects variations in pH levels and chemical components, making it a promising tool for dehydration management, stress monitoring, and disease detection.
Researchers from Chiba University develop sustainable method for producing biodegradable polymers using cuttlefish ink melanin. Decomposition products are converted into polymeric materials with potential applications in circular economies.
Researchers at Princeton and UCLA developed a passive mechanism to cool buildings in summer and warm them in winter by restricting radiant heat flows. Common materials like polyvinyl fluoride and plastics can be adapted for this purpose, achieving energy savings and thermal comfort beyond traditional building envelopes.
Researchers have developed a method to deliver drugs to specific areas of the body using ultrasound waves, triggering drug release from stable nanocarriers. The approach is made both safe and efficient for the first time, paving the way for clinical trials.
A team of researchers from DGIST developed a soft and flexible balloon implant for controlled and targeted drug delivery. The balloon demonstrated sustained drug release for over five months with minimal variation in dose, and showed reduced foreign body responses compared to previous devices.
Researchers have developed a novel solubilizer for olaparib, a selective PARP inhibitor, using π-π-stacked poly (ɛ-caprolactone)-based micelles. The studies found that these micelles improved the solubility of olaparib and exhibited sustained release behavior in vitro.
Researchers aim to create polymers that can form the basis of effective sensors for applications in physiological, environmental, and Internet of Things monitoring. The goal is to increase energy efficiency and broaden material choices, enabling devices to operate at low voltage and interact with ions and transport ionic charges.
Researchers from the University of Birmingham have designed a new type of recyclable resin made from biosourced materials for use in 3D printing applications. The feedstock is made from lipoic acid, a naturally occurring fatty acid molecule, and can be recycled back into its constituent parts.
A Binghamton University professor investigates the adaptive response of fire ant rafts to mechanical load, discovering that they exhibit catch bond behavior under force, which enhances cohesion for survival. This phenomenon is being explored to develop artificial materials with autonomous self-strengthening properties.
A research team at Waseda University has discovered a family of poly(thiourea)s (PTUs) with exceptional optical properties, including transparency over 92% and a refractive index of 1.81. The polymers can be easily degraded into simpler molecules, making them suitable for sustainable optoelectronic applications.
Scientists at POSTECH create conducting polymers with exceptional electrical conductivity, rivaling graphene's performance. The breakthrough achieves ultrafast electron mobility and long phase coherence length, overcoming a major challenge in organic semiconductors.
An international team of scientists used quasi-elastic neutron scattering to set a benchmark for a mixture of lithium salt and organic polymer electrolyte. This could enable more energy-dense electrodes and result in more powerful lithium batteries.
Scientists from Osaka University create borane molecules that exhibit red-shifted light emission upon binding to fluoride, enabling versatile materials for electronic display and chemical sensing applications. The researchers also achieve fine-tuning of the color of light emission by adjusting the quantity of added fluoride.
A new study reveals that retention ponds and wetlands can significantly reduce the amount of tyre particles entering aquatic environments, with an average reduction of 75%. The research found that tyre wear particles outweigh other forms of microplastics, but are also removed in greater quantities.
Researchers develop a new method using gold nanoparticle decorated polymers (GNDP) to improve detection of antigen-antibody reactions in infectious diseases. This approach results in higher optical density and improved sensitivity compared to traditional methods.
A team of Rice University researchers has developed an analytical model that can predict the curing time of platinum-catalyzed silicone elastomers as a function of temperature. The model could help reduce energy waste and improve throughput for elastomer-based components manufacturing, enabling more efficient soft robotics design.
Researchers at Washington University in St. Louis have developed a method to break down lignin into small molecules similar to oxygenated hydrocarbons. This process could lead to the creation of renewable chemicals that replace traditional petroleum-based products.
Researchers from Osaka University have developed a combined microscopy technique that captures the nanoscale behavior of azo-polymer films triggered by laser light. This allows for real-time observation with high spatiotemporal resolution, shedding light on the mechanism of light-driven deformation in these materials.
Scientists from the University of Surrey have developed a technique for electrospinning 3D scaffolds, allowing skin grafts to be grown directly from a patient's own skin. The scaffolds showed improved viability and functionality compared to traditional methods.
Researchers developed a UV-sensitive tape that can transfer 2D materials like graphene with ease, reducing damage and increasing efficiency. The new technology allows for flexible plastics to be used in device substrates, expanding potential applications.
Researchers from PolyU develop a durable, highly selective and energy-efficient CO2 electroreduction system that converts CO2 into ethylene for industrial purposes. The APMA system achieves high specificity of 50% and operates for over 1,000 hours at an industrial-level current of 10A.
Amanda Marciel, assistant professor at Rice University, receives a $670,406 NSF CAREER Award to develop synthetic networks with gel-like softness and high elasticity. Her research aims to create new elastomers with controlled structure-function relationships.
Researchers at the University of Michigan developed a metal-free magnetic gel that can power soft robots and guide medical capsules. The gel's strong, non-toxic magnetism enables flexible robotics applications, while its biodegradable properties make it suitable for medical operations.
Researchers introduce trehalose into hydrogels to form hydrogen bond interactions, improving dehydration resistance, lubrication performance, mechanical properties, and manufacturing accuracy. This discovery proposes a new design principle for high-precision manufacturing of hydrogel materials.
Researchers at Shinshu University propose a new chemical process to depolymerize cyclic α-substituted styrene-based vinyl polymers, resulting in the recovery of monomer precursors. This efficient recycling system can facilitate effective resource circulation and development of new plastic recycling technologies.
Researchers have developed twisted ringbots that can roll forward, spin like a record, and follow an orbital path around a central point. These devices can navigate and map unknown environments without human or computer control.
A new composite material, engineered using computer algorithms and 3D printing, can change its behavior in response to temperature changes. The material is designed to perform specific tasks depending on the environment, enabling future generations of autonomous robotics.
A new technology enables the printing of complex robots with soft, elastic, and rigid materials in one go. This allows for the creation of delicate structures and parts with cavities as desired.
Researchers at CSU and the University of St. Andrews created an effective antimicrobial material that slowly releases nitric oxide, killing bacteria and fungus over time.
A team of researchers has developed a novel experimental system to simultaneously measure the mechanical properties and internal structure of rubber-like materials. The study found that strain within these materials is non-uniform, depending on the shape and size of composite particles.
Researchers have developed a plastic-eating E. coli that can efficiently turn polyethylene terephthalate (PET) waste into adipic acid, a feedstock for making nylon materials and other products. The engineered microbes converted up to 79% of PET waste into adipic acid, offering a potential solution to the global plastic waste problem.
Scientists at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln have developed a system that can adjust the size, shape, and refractive index of microscopic lenses in real-time. The design uses hydrogels and polydimethylsiloxane to create a dynamic platform for soft robotics and liquid optics applications.
A team of researchers developed soft yet durable materials that glow in response to mechanical stress, using single-celled algae and a seaweed-based polymer. The materials demonstrate inherent simplicity, no electronics needed, and can be used as mechanical sensors or soft robotics, while also being resilient and self-sustaining.
Researchers from Osaka University have developed a bioprinting technique that enables the creation of complex soft tissue structures with high fidelity. The method uses a printing support to facilitate gelation of a bioink, resulting in cell viability and viability for up to two weeks.
Researchers introduce a game-changing technology that enables fabrication of high-resolution, transformable 3D structures at the micro/nanoscale using Two-photon polymerization-based (TTP-based) 4D printing. The technology has vast potential for applications in biomedicine, flexible electronics, soft robotics, and aerospace.
Researchers found an average of 41 microplastic particles per square meter per day settled from the atmosphere, while sediment samples contained denser particles with higher population densities. The study suggests clothing is likely the prominent source of microplastics to the Ganges River system.
Lehigh University researchers have discovered that applying magnetic forces to individual 'microroller' particles can spur collective motion, allowing the grains to flow uphill, up walls, and climb stairs. This counterintuitive phenomenon has potential applications in mixing, segregating materials, and microrobotics.
Researchers at Tokyo Institute of Technology have developed a new design strategy for creating mechanoresponsive materials with high thermal tolerance. The study identified two key factors that determine the thermal stability of these materials: radical-stabilization energy and Hammett constants.
Researchers at North Carolina State University have created a soft robot that can navigate simple mazes without human or computer guidance. The new robot has an asymmetrical design, allowing it to turn and move in arcs, enabling it to navigate complex and dynamic environments.
Scientists successfully synthesized long-chain mobile polymers on metallic surfaces using N-heterocyclic ballbot-type carbenes. This breakthrough enables self-assembly into ordered domains and cooperative behavior, holding promise for new applications in nanoelectronics and surface functionalization.
Researchers from Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology (EMPA) have developed a fully recyclable, flame-retardant epoxy resin-based plastic. The new material retains excellent thermomechanical properties while being reshaped like a thermoplast due to the addition of a special phosphonate ester molecule.
UC Santa Barbara researchers develop new catalytic process that can convert polyolefins from single-use plastics into valuable alkylaromatics, underlying surfactants in detergents. The improved method reduces production time and energy input, enabling potential commercialization and large-scale use.
A team of researchers at the University of Florida has developed a new method for recycling plastics that promises to reduce energy requirements without sacrificing quality. This breakthrough approach uses chemical recycling and depolymerization, which can produce recycled plastic with similar or better properties than the original mat...
A breakthrough solution has been discovered to recycle blended fabrics like polyester/cotton using a simple technique involving heat, non-toxic solvent, and household ingredient. This environmentally friendly approach can recover cotton on a scale of hundreds of grams while preserving the plastic component.